It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
